UAE firm, Boeing ink deal on unmanned aircraft

Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI) and Boeing have signed an agreement for the two companies to address the growing demand in the Middle East market for unmanned systems.

The agreement between the Tawazun subsidiary and the US plane maker was signed at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2013).

Company representatives said the agreement will enable ADASI to provide training, support and marketing services for Boeing's ScanEagle and Integrator unmanned aircraft systems in the UAE, with prospects to expand into the Middle East and North Africa region.

Homaid Al Shemmari, chairman of ADASI said: "Today's announcement is an important continuation of our strategy to build innovative aerospace capabilities in the Middle East.

"Our homegrown expertise coupled with Boeing's technical capabilities in unmanned aircraft systems is a winning combination and one that we look forward to strengthening in the coming years."

"The agreement is poised to have a significant contribution to the ongoing drive to develop UAE national capabilities within ADASI," he added.

Debbie Rub, vice president and general manager in the Boeing Military Aircraft business, said: "We plan to continue investing and growing in the UAE and the broader Middle East region in order to support US allies' enduring need for affordable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions, such as ScanEagle and Integrator."

The teaming agreement expands on a previous agreement between ADASI and Insitu, a wholly owned Boeing subsidiary that makes the ScanEagle and Integrator, she added.